Closure with axial pull protection for connectorized cables

ABSTRACT

A closure ( 100 ) is configured to hold one or more termination arrangements ( 120 ) at which one or more connectorized ends of optical cables can be received. The closure ( 100 ) provides axial pull-out protection for the connectorized ends ( 142 ) of the optical cables ( 140 ). In certain implementations, the closure ( 100 ) provides axial pull-out protection for the connectorized ends ( 142 ) of optical cables ( 140 ) arranged in multiple layers within the closure ( 100 ). In certain implementations, the closure ( 100 ) provides axial pull-out protection for standard optical connectors (e.g., standard SC connectors, standard LC connectors, standard LX.5 connectors, standard MPO connectors, etc.). The axial pull-out protection can be in the form of a cover ( 130 ). Cable bend protection ( 136 ) may also be provided by the cover.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/560,121, filed on Sep. 20, 2017, which is a National StageApplication of PCT/EP2016/056068, filed on Mar. 18, 2016, which claimsthe benefit of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/136,256, filed onMar. 20, 2015, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein byreference in their entireties. To the extent appropriate, a claim ofpriority is made to each of the above disclosed applications.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates to a closure configured to hold one ormore termination arrangements at which one or more connectorized ends ofoptical cables can be received. The closure provides axial pull-outprotection for the connectorized ends of the optical cables. In certainimplementations, the closure provides axial pull-out protection for theconnectorized ends of optical cables arranged in multiple layers withinthe closure. In certain implementations, the closure provides axialpull-out protection for standard optical connectors (e.g., standard SCconnectors, standard LC connectors, standard LX.5 connectors, standardMPO connectors, etc.). The axial pull-out protection can be in the formof a cover. Cable bend protection may also be provided by the cover.

A variety of additional inventive aspects will be set forth in thedescription that follows. The inventive aspects can relate to individualfeatures and to combinations of features. It is to be understood thatboth the forgoing general description and the following detaileddescription are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictiveof the broad inventive concepts upon which the embodiments disclosedherein are based.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the description, illustrate several aspects of the presentdisclosure. A brief description of the drawings is as follows:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example closure at which opticalcables can be received at internal ports;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the closure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the closure of FIG. 1 with a cover ofthe closure made transparent to allow viewing of optical adapters andoptical connectors disposed within the closure;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the cover of the closure of FIG.1;

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the cover of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the closure of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the closure of FIG. 6 taken alongthe 7-7 line of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary aspects of the presentdisclosure that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whereverpossible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout thedrawings to refer to the same or like parts.

The figures illustrate an example closure 100 (FIG. 1) configured tohold one or more termination arrangements 120 (FIG. 3) at which one ormore connectorized ends of optical cables can be received. The closure100 provides axial pull-out protection for the connectorized ends 142 ofthe optical cables 140. In certain implementations, the closure 100provides axial pull-out protection for the connectorized ends 142 ofoptical cables 140 arranged in multiple layers within the closure 100.In certain implementations, the closure 100 provides axial pull-outprotection for standard optical connectors (e.g., standard SCconnectors, standard LC connectors, standard LX.5 connectors, standardMPO connectors, etc.).

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the closure 100 has a depth D extendingbetween a front 101 and a rear 102, a width W extending between a firstside 103 and a second side 104, and a length L extending between a top105 and a bottom 106. It is noted that the terms “front,” “rear,” “top,”and “bottom” are not intended to imply an orientation for the closure100, but rather are used for convenience and clarity. In the exampleshown, the optical cables 140 extend into the closure 100 through thebottom 106. In other examples, however, the optical cables 140 can enterthe closure 100 through other sides. In the example shown, an inputcable can pass through the top 105 of the closure 100, the bottom 106 ofthe closure 100, or both (e.g., if less than all of the optical fibersof the input cable are utilized at the closure 100).

As shown in FIG. 3, the closure 100 includes a base 100 and a cover 130that cooperate to define an interior 107 in which the terminationarrangement 120 is disposed. In certain implementations, the axialpull-protection is integrated into the cover 130. Accordingly, removingthe cover 130 from the base 110 provides full access to theconnectorized ends 142 of the optical cables 140. Mounting the cover 130to the base 110 provides the axial pull-protection to the connectorizedends 142 of any optical cable 140 held within the closure 100.

In the example shown, the base 110 defines the rear 102 of the closure100 and the cover 130 defines the front 101 of the closure 100. In otherexamples, however, the base 110 and cover 130 can define or cooperate todefine other sides of the closure 100. The base 110 defines an inputcable channel 113 and the cover 130 defines an input cable channel 133.The input cable channels 113, 133 of the base 110 and cover 130cooperate to define an input cable passage when the cover 130 is mountedto the base 110. In the example shown, the input cable channels 113, 133are defined in both the top 105 and bottom 106 of the base 110 and cover130. In other examples, only one of the top 105 and bottom 106 maydefine the channels 113, 133.

In some implementations, the cover 130 defines an aperture 135 throughwhich the optical cables 140 extend. In the example shown, the aperture135 is defined at a bottom 106 of the cover 130. In otherimplementations, the base 110 cooperates with the cover 130 to definethe aperture 135. In still other implementations, the base 110 candefine the aperture through which the optical cables 140 extend.

The base 110 is configured to mount to a surface (e.g., a wall). Incertain implementations, the base 110 includes attachment members 111defining fastening apertures 112 that facilitate mounting the base 110to a surface. The cover 130 removably mounts to the base 110. In certainimplementations, the cover 130 is slidable relative to the base 110. Inthe example shown, the cover 130 is configured to slide relative to thebase 110 in a forward direction to remove the cover 130 and in arearward direction to mount the cover 130.

The termination arrangement 120 mounts to the base 110 and includes ahousing 121 carrying one or more termination adapters 122. In someimplementations, the termination arrangement 120 also includes othercomponents, such as an optical splitter, a wave division multiplexer,and optical fiber management members (e.g., cable spools, bend radiuslimiters, etc.). In an example, the termination arrangement is asplitter module including optical adapters 122 having inner ports atwhich split signals are received. The inner ports align with outputports 125 of the adapters 122 to allow optical coupling of opticalfibers received thereat. In the example shown, the output ports 125 facetowards the aperture 135 through which the cables 140 extend.

In certain implementations, the termination arrangement 120 includesmultiple adapters 122 disposed along the width W of the closure 100. Incertain implementations, the termination arrangement 120 can includeadapters 122 arranged in layers along the depth D of the closure 100. Inthe example shown in FIG. 3, the termination arrangement 120 includesfour layers of adapters 122 with each layer including four adapters 122.In other examples, the termination arrangement 120 can have a differentnumber of layers (e.g., one layer, two layers, three layers, six layers,etc.) and/or a different number of adapters 122 in each layer. In theexample shown, the adapters 122 in each layer are aligned in a row. Inthe example shown, the layers are arranged so that the adapters 122 formcolumns along the depth D of the closure 100.

In certain implementations, the optical connectors 142 include aconnector body 143 configured to hold an optical fiber (e.g., with aferrule) and a strain-relief boot. In examples, the strain-relief bootis disposed rearward of the connector body 143. In the example shown,the optical connectors 142 are standard SC connectors. For example, insuch an example, the termination adapters 122 include internal latchingmembers that engage latching openings on the SC connectors 142. The SCconnectors 142 are removed by pulling on outer grip housings of theconnectors 142. In other examples, however, other types of opticalconnectors 142 may be utilized (e.g., LC connectors, MPO connectors,LX.5 connectors, etc.).

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate an example cover 130 configured to provideaxial pull-protection to the cables 140 plugged into the adapters 142.The cover 130 includes a side wall 142 extending rearwardly from a frontwall 131. A bottom of the sidewall 142 defines the aperture 135. Atleast a top of the sidewall 142 defines the input cable channel 133. Alocking arrangement can be provided to secure the cover 130 to the base110. For example, the front wall 131 of the cover 130 may define anopening 134 through which a lock or fastener may extend to secure thecover 130.

The cover 130 includes one or more guide elements 136 extendingrearwardly from the front wall 131. In certain implementations, theguide elements 136 extend in a row along the width W of the closure 100.The guide elements 136 cooperate to define passages P through which theoptical cables 140 pass when routed through the aperture 135 and to thetermination arrangement 120. The passages P are vertically aligned withthe output ports 125 of the adapters 122. In certain implementations,each guide element 136 includes one or more guide walls 138. Each guidewall 138 opposes a guide wall 138 of an adjacent guide element 136 todefine one of the passages P.

In certain implementations, each guide element 136 defines a transitionsurface 139 that faces the aperture 135. In certain examples, eachtransition surface 139 extends away from one or more the guide walls 138in a curve that provides bend radius protection to cables 140 extendingthrough the aperture 135. In the example shown, three of the guideelements 136 each include a transition surface 139 that connects twoguide walls 138. Two of the guide elements 136 define a transitionsurface 139 that extends away from a single guide wall 138. The guideelements with a single guide wall 138 are disposed on opposite sides ofthe guide elements 136 having two guide walls 138. In other examples,each of the guide elements 136 may have two guide walls 138.

In certain implementations, each guide element 136 defines one or moresupport surfaces 137 that face towards the output ports 125 of theadapters 122. The guide elements 136 are sized and positioned so thatthe support surfaces 137 align with the optical connectors 142terminating the optical cables 140 when the optical connectors 142 arereceived at the output ports 125 and the cover 130 is mounted on thebase 110. In certain implementations, the support surfaces 137 aredefined at the tops of the guide walls 138. In other implementations,the support surfaces 137 are defined by platforms extending upwardlyfrom the guide walls 138 or other portions of the guide elements 136.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, mounting the cover 130 to the base 110positions the guide elements 136 relative to the output ports 125 sothat at least portions of the support surfaces 137 of the guide elements136 vertically align with the output ports 125. Any optical connectors142 received at the output ports 125 extend downwardly towards the guideelements 136. The guide elements 136 are horizontally positioned (e.g.,along the width W of the closure 100) relative to the output ports 125so that the cables 140 pass through the passages P without bending. Incertain implementations, the guide elements 136 are verticallypositioned so that the strain-relief boots 145 of the cables 140 extendthrough the passages P. By vertically aligning the passages P with thestrain-relief boots 145, squeezing or pinching of the optical cables 140(e.g., by the guide walls 138 or other portions of the guide elements136) is inhibited.

The guide elements 136 are vertically positioned (e.g., along the lengthL of the closure 100) so that the support surfaces 137 engage or almostengage the rear edges 144 of the connector housings 143 of any opticalconnectors 142 received at the output ports 125. In certainimplementations, the rear edge 144 of each optical connector housing 143engages support surfaces 137 of two guide elements 136. For example, therear edge 144 may straddle the gap between two adjacent guide elements136 to engage respective support surfaces 137 (e.g., see FIG. 7). Incertain implementations, the support surfaces 137 extend along a depth Dof the cover 130 so that each support surface 137 can engage the rearedge 144 of multiple optical connectors 142 (e.g., arranged in multiplelayers). For example, each support surface 137 can engage the rear edges144 of optical connectors 142 arranged in a column along the depth D ofthe closure 100.

In certain implementations, the adapters 122 are carried by thetermination arrangement 120 so that the adapters 122 can move verticallyrelative to the housing 121 of the termination arrangement 120.Accordingly, when the cover 130 applies an upward pressure on theconnectors 142 received at the output ports 125, the connectors 142 canapply an upward pressure on the adapters 122 to move the adapters 122into the housing 121. Allowing the adapters 122 to so move ensures thatan axial pull-load is taken by the support surfaces 137 of the guideelements 136 despite manufacturing tolerances of the closure 100 andconnectors 142.

As shown, support surfaces 137 and guide walls 138 extend generallyaxially relative to the connector and adapter axes, resulting in strongand robust support by the cover 130 on the one or more layers ofconnectors 142 in the termination arrangement 120. As shown, the rearedge 144 of the optical connectors 142 (e.g., arranged in one layer ormultiple layers) are each engaged by a support surface 137 on oppositesides of each connector, along an axial direction. In the illustratedexample, the rear edges 144 of optical connectors 142 are the rear edgesof the grip of the SC connectors. The grip is the outer housing portionof the connector 142 which controls latching and unlatching of theconnector 142 with the 122 of a conventional SC connector.

To insert or remove a connector 142 to or from the closure 100, thecover 130 is removed from the base 110. For example, the cover 130 canbe slid forwardly relative to the base 110. Removing the cover 130removes the guide elements 136 from between the cables 140. Removing theguide elements 136 removes the support surfaces 137 from the connectorhousings 143. Accordingly, removing the cover 130 provides full accessto the optical connectors 142 and output ports 125 of the adapters 122.Any of the optical connectors 142 can then be removed from one of theoutput ports 125 (e.g., by pulling on a grip housing of the opticalconnector 142). Mounting the cover 130 to the base 110 engages thesupport surfaces 137 with the connector housings 143.

The above specification, examples and data provide a completedescription of the manufacture and use of the composition of theinvention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention, the inventionresides in the claims hereinafter appended.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS AND CORRESPONDING FEATURES

-   100 closure-   101 front-   102 rear-   103 first side-   104 second side-   105 top-   106 bottom-   107 interior-   110 base-   111 attachment members-   112 fastening aperture-   113 input cable channel-   120 termination arrangement-   122 termination adapters-   125 output ports-   130 cover-   131 front wall-   132 side walls-   133 input channel-   134 opening-   135 aperture-   136 guide elements-   137 support surfaces-   138 guide walls-   139 transition surface-   140 Cables-   142 optical connectors-   143 connector housing-   144 rear edge-   145 boot

What is claimed is:
 1. A telecommunications closure comprising: a baseholding an optical adapter and defining an access opening, the opticaladapter defining opposite first and second ports; a cover thatcooperates with the base to define an interior having a height, a width,and a depth that are transverse to each other, the cover being movablerelative to the base between an open position and a closed position, thecover blocking access to the optical adapter through the access openingwhen in the closed position, the cover allowing access to the opticaladapter through the access opening when in the open position, the coverhaving an inner surface and an opposite outer surface, the inner surfaceof the cover facing the base and the outer surface of the cover facingaway from the base when the cover is disposed in the closed position,the cover and the base also cooperating to define a cable port that isaligned with the first port of the optical adapter; and a support membercarried by the inner surface of the cover to move with the cover betweenthe open and closed positions, the support member being offset from thefirst port of the optical adapter along the height of the interior andpartially overlapping the first port of the optical adapter along thewidth of the interior.
 2. The telecommunications closure of claim 1,wherein the support member includes a guide section that extends in anorientation along the height of the interior, the guide section defininga transition surface that provides bend radius protection at the cableport.
 3. The telecommunications closure of claim 1, wherein the supportmember is a first support member; and wherein a second support member isalso carried by the inner surface of the cover to move with the coverbetween the open and closed positions, the second support member beingoffset from the first port of the optical adapter along the height ofthe interior by a common distance with the first support member.
 4. Thetelecommunications closure of claim 3, wherein the second support memberpartially overlaps the first port of the optical adapter along the widthof the interior, the first and second support members being disposed atopposite sides of the first port.
 5. The telecommunications closure ofclaim 3, wherein the second support member includes a respective guidesection that extends in the orientation along the height of theinterior, the guide section of the second support member defining arespective transition surface that provides bend radius protection atthe cable port.
 6. The telecommunications closure of claim 5, whereinthe transition surfaces of the first and second support members curveaway from each other.
 7. The telecommunications closure of claim 1,wherein the support member is offset from the first port along theheight of the interior by a distance a body of a connector plugprotrudes from the first port when the connector plug is received at thefirst port.
 8. The telecommunications closure of claim 1, wherein theoptical adapter is one of a plurality of optical adapters held by thebase, each of the optical adapters having respective first and secondports.
 9. The telecommunications closure of claim 8, wherein the opticaladapters are disposed in a row along the width of the interior.
 10. Thetelecommunications closure of claim 9, wherein the support member is oneof a plurality of support members carried by the inner surface of thecover, each of the support members being offset from the first port of arespective one of the optical adapters along the height of the interiorand partially overlapping the first port of the respective opticaladapter along the width of the interior.
 11. The telecommunicationsclosure of claim 8, wherein the optical adapters are disposed in a rowalong the depth of the interior.
 12. The telecommunications closure ofclaim 11, wherein the support member extends sufficiently along thedepth of the interior to partially overlap the first port of each of theoptical adapters in the row.
 13. The telecommunications closure of claim8, wherein the optical adapters are layered in a plurality of rows, eachrow extending along the width of the interior.
 14. Thetelecommunications closure of claim 13, wherein the support member isone of a plurality of support members carried by the inner surface ofthe cover, each of the support members partially overlapping the firstport of at least one respective one of the optical adapters in each rowalong the width of the interior.
 15. The telecommunications closure ofclaim 14, wherein each of the support members is offset from the firstport of each respective one of the optical adapters along the height ofthe interior.
 16. The telecommunications closure of claim 14, whereinouter ones of the support members partially overlap only one of theoptical adapters of each row; and inner ones of the support memberspartially overlap two of the optical adapters of each row.
 17. Thetelecommunications closure of claim 8, wherein the support memberpartially overlaps the first port of two of the optical adapters. 18.The telecommunications closure of claim 8, wherein the support member isone of a plurality of support members, and wherein the support membersdivide the cable port into a plurality of guide channels, each guidechannel aligning with the first port of each of the optical adapters.19. The telecommunications closure of claim 1, wherein the cover pivotsrelative to the base.
 20. The telecommunications closure of claim 19,wherein a pivot axis of the cover is disposed at an opposite end of theinterior from the cable port.